Fiu Dealt Its Biggest Defeat Ever

Chances For Touchdowns Are Bungled

September 11, 2005|By Bryan Wendell Special Correspondent

LUBBOCK, Texas — After impressing doubters with a strong performance against Kansas State last weekend, Florida International was out of surprises Saturday night as No. 21 Texas Tech handed the Golden Panthers the most decisive loss in the history of their program, 56-3.

The Golden Panthers (0-2) played before the biggest crowd ever to watch them -- 50,156 at Jones SBC Stadium.

"It was a real challenge for us," said senior defensive back Nick Turnbull. "I've never seen anything like that."

A first-quarter scoring chance proved fruitless for FIU.

A rhythmic 62-yard drive was abruptly halted when Julian Reams fumbled just 3 yards from the end zone, perhaps slipped up by the artificial turf in the Panthers' first game on such a surface.

"There are always two or three plays that change a game," said FIU coach Don Strock. "Overall, we had opportunities to score and didn't take advantage. They took advantage every drive."

Quarterback Josh Padrick and receivers Chandler Williams and Samuel Smith had consistent performances but the Panthers never could recover from that early blow.

Padrick finished 21 of 32 with no interceptions and 172 yards, 74 of those picked up by Williams.

Throughout the game, Padrick refused to give up, throwing off-balance but accurate passes while scrambling from would-be tacklers.

Late in the third quarter, a drive that included two of those passes from Padrick was punctuated by a 33-yard jailbreak run by Reams that put the Panthers 5 yards from the end zone.

However, with four chances to score a touchdown, FIU wasted another opportunity when on fourth down and 10 Padrick sailed a pass wide of the end zone.

FIU's lone score came on a 36-yard field goal from Adam Moss.

FIU was 1 of 5 inside the 20, while the Red Raiders scored on all five of their chances in the red zone.

Despite the failed red zone attempts, Padrick continued near his career pace of 226.8 yards per game, but his performance was dwarfed by the pass-heavy offense of the Red Raiders (1-0).

Fifth-year senior quarterback Cody Hodges passed for 454 yards and four touchdowns in his first start for Tech.

That performance propelled Tech to the 53-point win, the most decisive in a home opener for Tech since a 62-point victory in 1927.

The Red Raiders' four passing touchdowns tied for the most ever by an FIU opponent.

"[Tech was] the best offense I've played against," said Turnbull. "I didn't know they were as good at what they do."

Raiders coach Mike Leach had some compliments for FIU.

"You can't say enough about Florida International," he said. "They certainly had some good athletes out there and they're going to be a good team in the future."

Sun Belt

E. MICHIGAN 31, LA.-LAFAYETTE 10: Matt Bohnet threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns and added 67 yards rushing and two scores to lead the host Eagles (1-1). The Ragin' Cajuns' (0-2) offense didn't take the field until 9:10 into the first quarter, falling behind 14-0 after fumbling on their first kickoff and punt returns of the game.